Brewers rate Hoffman No. 1 choice

The Padres did not budge Tuesday, at least publicly, after a report surfaced that the Milwaukee Brewers called Trevor Hoffman the best candidate for their closer's job and the Los Angeles Dodgers again were linked to Hoffman.

A six-time All-Star with the Padres who figured prominently in four of the franchise's five National League West titles, Hoffman entered free agency two months ago when the Padres pulled a $4 million offer and declined to offer him salary arbitration.

“I'd say there has been no change in our position,” said Padres CEO Sandy Alderson Tuesday. “We've not renewed the offer at this point. That's as succinct as I can be.”

Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Tuesday that Hoffman is the No. 1 candidate for the club's closer job.

Hoffman's agent, Rick Thurman, told mlb.com that it's down to the Dodgers and the Brewers and that a deal should be done within 48 hours.

Last month, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that a Dodgers executive was doing a background check on Hoffman. In particular, the Dodgers were interested in the intangibles Hoffman could bring to the team's young bullpen and pitching staff. Throughout his Padres tenure, Hoffman drew praise from teammates for his team ethic and willingness to help any young pitcher who approached him.

The Dodgers have non-tendered their primary closer over the last three seasons, Takashi Saito, who suffered an elbow injury that knocked him off their roster in the National League Championship Series.

Acknowledging that the Dodgers would have a geographical advantage for Hoffman – a Rancho Santa Fe resident who often brought his three sons with him to Petco Park – the Brewers reportedly are considering a two-year offer to Hoffman, 41.

Hoffman is a Type A free agent, but the Padres would not get compensatory draft picks for him if he signs with another club because they did not offer him arbitration. An accepted offer of arbitration could have exposed the Padres to a salary well above Hoffman's $7.5 million salary in 2008 – not an option as the Padres discuss reducing the payroll by some 40 percent.

Alderson said he spoke with Hoffman briefly since the offer was pulled, but that was a few weeks ago.

“As far I know,” Alderson said, “(General Manager) Kevin (Towers) and Trevor's agent have not spoken for some time.”

Alderson declined comment when asked how a potential sale of the Padres could affect the club's position on Hoffman and a payroll reduction.

A group led by former Diamondbacks executive Jeff Moorad has an agreement in principle to buy the Padres for more than $400 million – perhaps well over $400 million – but Moorad said on Friday it may take a few weeks or months to work out details.

As part of his club's pitch to bring Hoffman to Milwaukee, Brewers manager Ken Macha spoke with Hoffman on Saturday and reminded him of the time they met when Macha was managing the Oakland A's several years ago.